Turkey Urges Zero-Waste Climate Pledge at COP31

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on countries meeting at COP31 to support a zero-waste initiative intended to cut emissions. He said Turkey’s recycling rate rose from about 13% in 2017, when its zero-waste movement began, to roughly 40% by the end of 2025. He also said about 90 million tons of waste had been returned to the economy.

The initiative, promoted in part by Turkey’s first lady, Emine Erdogan, aims to reduce methane emissions and food waste and encourage materials to be reused and recycled. Turkey has set out 10 priorities for the climate talks, including faster electrification.

According to the U.N., only carbon dioxide contributes more to climate change than methane. Turkey is asking countries to reduce methane but has not joined the Global Methane Pledge, which seeks a cut of at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Climate TRACE ranks Turkey fifth worldwide for methane emissions from solid waste.

Experts say circular-economy measures could lower emissions, but recycling food waste is costly and requires specialized collection and processing. Many countries also lack the infrastructure to recycle critical minerals. The International Energy Agency estimates expanded recycling could reduce the need for new mining by 25% to 40% by 2050.

Climate conference agreements are often nonbinding, and previous hosts have faced criticism for not delivering on commitments. Greenpeace Turkey’s waste campaign head, Berk Butan, called the zero-waste goal worthwhile but said it needs concrete measures and that its limitations should be acknowledged. The talks also face scrutiny over Turkey’s climate record.

Turkey’s COP31 Waste Pledge Needs Action on Methane

At COP31, Turkey is asking the world to treat waste as a climate issue, with a plan to reduce methane and food waste and reuse materials. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey’s recycling rate climbed from about 13% in 2017 to around 40% by the end of 2025, and that 90 million tons of waste had been returned to the economy.

The ambition matters: according to the U.N., only carbon dioxide contributes more to climate change than methane. But Turkey is urging other countries to reduce methane while remaining outside the Global Methane Pledge, which calls for a 30% cut from 2020 levels by 2030. Climate TRACE ranks Turkey fifth for methane emissions from solid waste.

The pledge will count only if it produces concrete measures. Greenpeace Turkey’s waste campaign head, Berk Butan, said the goal needs further action and that its shortcomings must be recognized. Earlier climate summits have often produced nonbinding deals, and their host nations have drawn criticism for not fulfilling their promises.

Recycling food waste and critical minerals can reduce emissions, but the work requires infrastructure and investment many countries lack. The International Energy Agency says expanded recycling could reduce demand for new mining by 25% to 40% by 2050. The challenge for COP31 is turning broad commitments into practical steps, while Turkey’s own climate record remains under scrutiny.

COP31 Zero-Waste Ambitions Face Cost and Delivery Tests

Turkey is promoting a sweeping zero-waste initiative at COP31, but climate goals will depend on whether countries can make recycling work at scale. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey’s recycling rate rose from about 13% in 2017 to roughly 40% by the end of 2025, and that 90 million tons of waste had been returned to the economy.

The plan seeks to cut methane and food waste and expand reuse, alongside Turkey’s call for faster electrification. Yet recycling food waste is expensive: it decomposes quickly and requires specialized collection and processing. Many countries also lack the infrastructure to recycle critical minerals, while mining remains cheaper in most places.

The International Energy Agency estimates that expanded recycling could reduce the need for new mining by 25% to 40% by 2050. That potential does not erase the costs and capacity constraints involved. The European Union and the United States are expected to have capacity to recycle only 30% of their raw materials by 2040, the agency says.

Turkey’s climate pitch also faces a credibility test. It wants countries to reduce methane but has not signed the Global Methane Pledge, which calls for cuts of at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Climate conference agreements are often nonbinding, and previous hosts have been criticized for falling short. Greenpeace Turkey’s waste campaign head said the zero-waste target needs concrete measures and acknowledged limitations.